Ethiopia’s socio-political and economic crises are rooted in patronage and historically antagonistic ethnic, religious, and political relations. In 1895, Italy invaded Ethiopia, ensuing the first Italo-Ethiopian War. On 1 March 1896, Ethiopia overcame the invasion and won the war at the Battle of Adowa.[1] On 23 October 1896, the two warring parties signed the Treaty...

During Alegria’s war of independence against France (1954–1962), a number of revolutionary groups emerged, with the most prominent being the National Liberation Front (Front de Liberation Nationale, or FLN). As part of the agreement ending colonial occupation, the FLN banned political opposition, making Algeria a one-party state for 27 years.

In February 1965, The Gambia gained independence from colonial Britain, becoming a republic in April 1970. Dawda Jawara, head of the People’s Progressive Party, was the first prime minister and first elected president of independent Gambia. In July 1981, the government prevented a coup with the help of Senegalese forces. In 1982, Jawara and Senegalese...